Means to tie a balloon

ABSTRACT

An assembly having a mechanical process which allows a user to tie a knot in a balloon. A hook feature in the assembly will hold the end of the balloon. The neck of the balloon is wrapped around the assembly creating a loop. The hook feature is actuated by a spring loaded trigger that will pull the end of the balloon through the balloon loop which will create a knot.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to tying a knot in a balloon and, inparticular, using an assembly that will mechanically form and tie a knotin the balloon filled with air or a liquid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Balloons can be available in many sizes, shapes, and colors which can befilled with air, helium, or a liquid such as water. Once a balloon isfilled, it must be closed to prevent the air or water from leaking orescaping from the opening. Usually this is prevented by tying the end ofthe balloon into a knot or tying a string or something similar aroundthe balloon opening to close it up.

When tying balloons, especially in large quantities for events, parties,games, or water balloon fights; it can be difficult to pull the end ofthe balloon through the loop to tie a secure knot. Tying a balloon islaborious and sometimes very difficult. One problem with conventionalmethods to tie balloons is to make a complete knot. When manually tyinga balloon you wrap the end of the balloon around your finger creating aloop, then you try to tuck the end of the balloon through the createdloop. This is difficult which can cause sore fingers, improperly tiedballoons, or torn ends.

The opening of a balloon can also be closed by tying some string, orsomething similar, around its end. There is difficulty with this methodsince air or water could leak out the balloon as the user is attemptingto tie a completed knot in the string.

Due to these methods there are other devices which have been invented toassist with tying knots in balloons. However, these devices stillrequire you to manually tie the knot either by physically pulling ortucking the end of the balloon through the loop created in the neck orpulling the neck of the balloon over its end. Many times these devicesare not ergonomic or easy to use. This can still lead to improperly tiedor damaged balloons, and can still be time consuming.

When tying balloons it is highly desirable that the user interfaceprovides perfectly completed knots every time. It is also desirable tobe able to tie many balloons quickly to reduce time, especially if youneed to tie a large quantity of balloons for an event, such as abirthday party, or for throwing many water balloons on a hot summer day.Also, it is highly desirable to minimize the potential of wastingballoons which have improperly tied knots or have torn ends making themuseless.

This present invention removes the need to manually pull the end of theballoon through the created loop which will lead to less frustration andmakes tying balloons easier, faster, and more fun. The method to achievethis is to wrap the balloon neck around a round tapered barrel of theassembly. Then the end of the balloon is inserted into a hook feature.Once the end of the balloon is captured and secure in the hook feature,a spring loaded trigger mechanism is actuated by the user. This willautomatically pull the end of the balloon through the created loop. Thenthe balloon is pulled off the barrel creating the knot in the balloon.The user releases the trigger and then pulls the end of the balloon outof the hook feature for a completely tied balloon. This inventioneliminates the need for the user to manually form a knot to close up theopening of a balloon.

In order to make this invention easier for the user, the assemblyincludes a handle which will allow the user a convenient and ergonomicgrip. The trigger mechanism has a friendly curved shape for the user'sfinger. This is similar to a toy gun so it will be easy for both adultsand children to understand and use.

The hook feature with the trigger mechanism and spring are locatedinside the assembly case. The hook is formed by a slot that allows theend of the balloon to slide into it. The spring is also located betweenthe trigger mechanism and the case. The spring will return the triggermechanism to its original position after the trigger is released by theuser. The process can be repeated to tie many balloons quickly andefficiently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of at least one embodiment of the present invention is toprovide a compact, self-contained assembly to tie a knot in the openingof a balloon. This will prevent air, helium, or liquid inside theballoon from leaking or escaping from the balloon opening.

In carrying out the above object and other objects of at least oneembodiment of the present invention, an assembly for tying a knot in aballoon is provided. The assembly includes a case or housing, a hook andtrigger mechanism, and a spring. The hook and trigger mechanism andspring are encapsulated within the case.

The assembly includes a two-piece case which includes a first half ofthe case and a second half of the case. These two case halves willencapsulate the hook and trigger mechanism and spring when assembled.The case can be assembled using snaps and/or fasteners. The caseincludes a round, tapered barrel at its end which allows the user towrap the neck of the balloon around it creating the loop. The case alsoincludes a handle which allow the user a convenient and ergonomic way tohold onto the assembly. The case opening stop ring at the end of thebarrel diameter is smaller than the internal hook and trigger mechanismwhich will prevent it from sliding out. The case has an opening for thetrigger to slide back and forth during its operation. Also the oppositeend inside the case is a reactive case spring press surface that allowsthe spring to compress against when the trigger is pulled by the user.

The internal hook and trigger mechanism includes a hook slot and atrigger. This mechanism will be encapsulated inside the case whenassembled and extends pass the case opening. The hook and triggermechanism has a larger diameter than the case opening stop ring toprevent it from sliding out of the assembly. On the opposite end of thehook and trigger mechanism has a reactive mechanism spring press surfacethat allows the spring to compress against when the trigger is pulled bythe user. The hook slot will allow the user to insert the end of theballoon into it and hold it in position. The trigger extends through aslot in the case and has a curved, friendly shape for a finger. As thetrigger is pulled, the hook slot holding the end of the balloon will bepulled into the case barrel.

There is an internal spring in the assembly which is also encapsulatedinside the case. The spring is located between the case spring presssurface and the hook and trigger spring press surface. The spring willcompress against these surfaces when the user pulls the trigger. Whenthe user releases the trigger, the spring will expand to bring the hookand trigger mechanism to its original position.

Each half of the case may be formed as a molded part from a rigid,structural plastic in an injection molding process or 3D printingprocess for example. The handle could include a soft touch userinterface, if desired. The hook and trigger mechanism may also be formedfrom a rigid, structural plastic. The spring may be of stainless steelto prevent rusting. The spring efforts will be defined by its diameter,thickness, and number of coils.

The assembly may include decorative accents, such as balloons, locatedon the case. The assembly can be of different colors to appeal todifferent users.

The process of tying the balloon using this invention is described usinga balloon filled with a liquid, such as water. The user will hold thehandle of the assembly in one of their hands. The user will press theneck of the balloon against the side of the case assembly. Then the userwill pull the end of the balloon around the case barrel and behind thefilled balloon creating a loop with the neck of the balloon. The end ofthe balloon will be inserted into the hook slot. After the end of theballoon is securely in the hook slot, the user will pull the trigger. Asthe trigger is pulled, the hook slot and the end of the balloon will bepulled into the case opening through the loop created around the casebarrel. At the same time the spring will be compress. The user will pullthe balloon off the case barrel creating a knot. Pulling the balloontaunt, the knot will be tightened to prevent any water from leaking outof the opening. The user will release the trigger which will expand thespring bringing it back to its original position allowing the hook slotand end of the balloon to slide out of the case opening. The end of theballoon is removed from the hook slot producing a fully tied balloon.Repeat the process for as many balloons as the user would like to tie.

Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled inthe art from the following figures, descriptions and claims. Moreover,while specific advantages have been enumerated, various embodiments mayinclude all, some or none of the enumerated advantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental view of the invention with the hook andtrigger mechanism shown in an extended state;

FIG. 2 is an environmental view of the invention with the hook andtrigger mechanism shown in the retracted state;

FIG. 3 is a section view of the invention along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section view of the invention along line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of the of the inventiondemonstrating the initial placement of the balloon to the barrel;

FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view demonstrating creating the loop ofthe balloon around the barrel;

FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective view of the invention demonstratingsecuring the end of the balloon into the hook;

FIG. 9 is a detailed perspective view of the invention demonstrating theretraction of the internal hook and trigger mechanism which pulls thehook feature with the end of the balloon through the created loop;

FIG. 10 is a detailed perspective view of the invention demonstratingthe removal the loop off the barrel forming the knot;

FIG. 11 is a detailed perspective view of the invention demonstratingtightening the knot in the balloon.

FIG. 12 is a detailed perspective view of the invention demonstratingthe extension of the internal hook and trigger mechanism;

FIG. 13 is a detailed perspective demonstrating the removal of the endof the balloon from the hook; and

FIG. 14 is a detailed perspective of the balloon fully tied and openingclosed up.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in variousand alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; somefeatures may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particularcomponents. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the invention has a case 10 that contains acase barrel 12 that is used to wrap the balloon around and a case handle14 which the user holds. The case 10 has a case opening 18 that allowsthe internal mechanism hook and trigger assembly 24 to retract andextend. The internal mechanism hook and trigger assembly 24 has afriendly shaped trigger 26 which the user can actuate the assembly andan internal mechanism hook slot 28 which the end of the balloon can beinserted.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the internal mechanism hook and triggerassembly 24 which includes the internal mechanism trigger 26 and theinternal mechanism hook slot 28 is shown on the retracted positionindicated by the direction of the arrow.

FIG. 3 shows a center line section from FIG. 1 along the axis 3-3. Thecase 10 includes the case barrel 12, a handle 14, the case trigger slot16, and the case opening 18. The case trigger slot 16 allows theinternal mechanism trigger 26 to slide back and forth. The end of case10 has a case opening stop ring 20 that prevent the internal mechanismhook and trigger assembly 24 from sliding out of the case 10. This isdue to the internal mechanism stop ring 30 being located on the internalmechanism hook and trigger assembly 24 by being larger than the caseopening 18. Inside case 10 includes a case spring press surface 22 thatallows a friendly surface area for the spring 32 to compress against.The spring 32 is located between the internal mechanism spring presssurface 42 located on the internal mechanism hook and trigger assembly24 and the case spring press surface 22 which is included within thecase 10. The internal mechanism hook and trigger assembly 24 has aninternal mechanism spring press surface 42 that will compress the spring32 against the case spring press surface 22 as the internal mechanismtrigger 26 is pulled.

Referring now to FIG. 4, this section shows a center line section fromFIG. 2 along the axis 4-4. The internal mechanism hook and triggerassembly 24 which includes the internal mechanism trigger 26 and theinternal mechanism hook slot 28 is shown on the retracted positionindicated by the direction of the arrow. By pulling on the internalmechanism trigger 26, the internal mechanism spring press surface 42pushes against the spring 32 compressing it against the case springpress surface 22. When the internal mechanism trigger 26 is released bythe user, the spring 32 will expand back to its resting position asshown in FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the invention is showing an example of thepotential construction and components in an exploded view. The twohalves of case 10 would contain the internal mechanism hook and triggerassembly 24 and the spring 32. The two halves of case 10 could besecured using snaps, separate fasteners, or a combination of both.

FIG. 6 through FIG. 14 shows an example of the process used to tie aknot in a balloon using this invention.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the user will hold a balloon against the casebarrel 12 which is included in case 10 putting pressure against theballoon as indicated. The user will grip the exemplary balloon neck 38of exemplary balloon 34 and pull in the direction indicated by thearrow.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the user continues to pull on the exemplaryballoon neck 38 wrapping it around the case barrel 12 and then under theexemplary balloon 34. Meanwhile, the user is still applying pressure tothe exemplary balloon 34 as indicated.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the user will tuck the exemplary balloonopening 36 or the end of the balloon into the internal mechanism hookslot 28 which is included in the internal mechanism hook and triggerassembly 24.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the internal mechanism hook and triggerassembly 24 is actuated by the user pulling the internal mechanismtrigger 26. This will retract the internal mechanism hook slot 28indicated by the direction of the arrows. This action will pull theexemplary balloon opening 36 and exemplary balloon neck 38 tucked intothe internal mechanism hook slot 28 into the case barrel 12 whichcreated the wrapped balloon loop. Not shown is the spring 32 inside thecase 10 is now in a compressed state.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the exemplary balloon 34 is slid off the casebarrel 12. The exemplary balloon opening 36 and exemplary balloon neck38 are still secured by the actuated internal mechanism hook slot 28which is included in the internal mechanism hook and trigger assembly24.

Referring now to FIG. 11, the exemplary balloon 34 is pulled tight forform a knot 40. The exemplary balloon opening 36 and exemplary balloonneck 38 are still secured by the actuated internal mechanism hook slot28 which is included in the internal mechanism hook and trigger assembly24.

Referring now to FIG. 12, the user releases the internal mechanismtrigger 26 which is included in the internal mechanism hook and triggerassembly 24. The spring 32, not shown, will push the internal mechanismhook and trigger assembly 24 back to its original position within case10 as indicated by the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the exemplary balloon neck 38 is removed fromthe internal mechanism hook slot 28 which includes the balloon knot 40.

FIG. 14 shows the final exemplary balloon 34 including the knot 40 tiedin the balloon neck 38 which prevents air or water, in the case of waterballoons, from exiting the exemplary balloon opening 36.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An assembly for tying a knot in the neck ofa balloon, comprising: a case; a hook and trigger mechanism, which ismade up of a hook slot and a trigger, wherein the hook and triggermechanism is encapsulated within the case; a spring, wherein the saidspring is encapsulated within the case.
 2. The invention of claim 1further comprising a case which includes one half and a second half. 3.The invention of claim 1 further comprising of a handle included in saidcase.
 4. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a case barrel whichis round and tapered included in said case.
 5. The invention of claim 1further comprising a case opening located at the end of the case barrelin said case.
 6. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a caseopening stop ring on the inside of the case opening included in saidcase.
 7. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a case spring presssurface on the opposite end of the case opening included in said case.8. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a case trigger slot whichis located at the bottom the said case.
 9. The invention of claim 1further comprising a hook and trigger mechanism which includes a hookslot at the outside end, a mechanism spring press surface located at theopposite end, and a trigger.
 10. The invention of claim 1 furthercomprises of a stop ring located at the hook end of the said hook andtrigger mechanism.
 11. The invention of claim 1 further comprising ofthe spring which is located between the mechanism spring press surfaceand the case spring press surface.